Against the Grain: A Filmmaker's Lament 5 Min US
At first glance this short documentary, Against the Grain, may appear to be a narrative short film, though this is Patrick Shanahan speaking from his own real life experiences. Cinematographer Beau Vorous and director Patrick Shanahan wanted to create a film with poetic, short film aesthetics and at the same time, tell a true story of one struggling film maker’s opinion on filmstock and the encroachment of digital media.
In 2001 Bill Nichols derived that there are six forms of documentary film making. Against the Grain is hybrid in that it crosses paths of three of the modes Nichols described. This film is Poetic in its structure and form. Reflexive in that the director is calling attention to the fact they are making a film by literally showing the camera and lights being set up, as well as allowing the viewer to see microphones and other set pieces. The third mode that can describe Against the Grain is Performative.
Performative Documentaries stress subjective experience and emotional response to the world. They are strongly personal, unconventional, perhaps poetic and/or experimental. They might include hypothetical enactments of events designed to make us experience what it might be like for us to possess a certain specific perspective on the world that is not our own. This subgenre might also lend itself to film makers to 'speak about themselves.' Often, a variety of techniques, many borrowed from fiction or avant-garde films, are used. Performative documentaries often link up personal accounts or experiences with larger political or historical realities.
This Hybrid-Performative documentary engages Shanahan to the story, but constructs subjective truths that are significant to the filmmaker himself. This is non-fiction. Paying tribute to the past and tipping hats to the future, this documentary was shot on both digital media and 16mm film.
The Match 15 min Canada
The Match follows two performers in a struggling independent wrestling promotion, the Prairie Wrestling Alliance. It explores the impact that their vocation has on their personal lives, and the psychology behind why audiences are drawn to this pseudo-blood sport.
The characters are iconic, yet real: Nizar Watfa aka. Sheikh Abdul Shibaz, is a Muslim immigrant that wants to integrate. He's from the small town of Lamont, Alberta , famous for its Ukrainian heritage. And then there's Dustin Meyer, aka. Hollywood Dustin Adonis. He's a rural redneck from Eston, Saskatchewan, that wants to cut loose. And they are going to fight for the championship belt.
However, Nizar’s father must overcome his distaste for what he sees as an embarrassing and racist portrayal of his culture.
Will Nizar's dad finally attend a match? Will he disown his son? Will the beloved Hollywood beat The Evil Sheikh?
Find out in The Match.